Best NBA Player Prop Bets Today (February 25) (Archive)
Busy Friday around the NBA as more teams emerge from the All-Star break. We’ve done well on our prop picks of late and let’s keep cashing with three from BetOnline (visit our BetOnline Review), one of BMR’s top-rated sportsbooks.
Miami Heat vs. New York Knicks
Friday, February 25, 2022 – 07:30 PM EST at Madison Square Garden
Alec Burks
- Over/Under 10.5 Points
This is the first of an ESPN doubleheader on Friday. The Knicks have been the most disappointing team in the NBA and would miss the play-in tournament as things stand. Coach Tom Thibodeau might be fired after the season.
The return of Derrick Rose from ankle surgery would definitely help and while he practiced this week, he’s listed as doubtful. And for some reason, the Knicks told former All-Star point guard Kemba Walker to go away the rest of the season while still getting paid. Walker is not close to what he used to be, but how does a guy averaging 11.6 points, 3.5 assists, and 3.0 rebounds not help you?
With no Walker and presumably no Rose, that means Alec Burks is going to be the primary point guard. Thibs loves Burks for some reason: “Digging into the numbers and stuff, Alec has been our best option so far,” Thibodeau said.
The thing with Burks is that he’s very streaky. In his past three games, he has hit just 6-for-24 from the field for 22 total points. The two before that, he was 10-for-17 for 29 combined points. I like him here simply as the Knicks don’t have much behind him other than Immanuel Quickley, so Burks should get 30 minutes for the first time since Feb. 7. Let´s take a look at the basketball odds.
NBA Pick: Burks over 10.5 points (-115) at BetOnline
Philadelphia 76ers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves
Friday, February 25, 2022 – 08:00 PM EST at Target Center
James Harden
- Yes/No Double-Double
Second of a back-to-back for Minnesota, which rallied to beat Memphis 119-114 on Thursday. Thus, I do like the rested Sixers in this game on the moneyline because the Wolves could be a bit gassed and due to this being the Philadelphia debut of James Harden.
The former MVP and scoring champion is a whiny, pouty bitch, frankly, who has wormed his way out of Houston and then Brooklyn in the span of about 13 months. When Harden isn’t happy, he clearly doesn’t try hard on the court and that showed with the Nets before they dealt him to the Sixers for Ben Simmons and other assets.
While I do think Harden will be major fired-up tonight to prove his doubters wrong – remember how LeBron James and Kevin Durant were laughing at the end of the All-Star draft when Durant purposefully didn’t pick Harden? – he also hasn’t played since Feb. 2 due to a supposed “hamstring” injury. I’m not saying Harden wasn’t hurt, but I’m saying he wasn’t THAT hurt. He just wanted out.
It’s going to take time for The Beard to get into game shape and learn the offense. He has never played with such a dominant big man as Joel Embiid, who is going to be the primary offensive option. And I’d imagine that Harden’s minutes are somewhat limited.
NBA Pick: Harden no double-double (+110) at BetOnline
Los Angeles Clippers vs. Los Angeles Lakers
Friday, February 25, 2022 – 10:00 PM EST at Crypto.com Arena
Russell Westbrook
- Over/Under 31.5 Points + Rebounds + Assists
The second game of the ESPN doubleheader as the Lakers begin life (again) without injury-prone All-Star Anthony Davis. He injured his foot in the Lakers’ final game before the break and figures to miss at least four weeks. Such a great player but so brittle. I see no way the Lakers avoid the play-in tournament without Davis that long. He’s by far their best defender.
There’s also the fact the Lakers need to replace Davis’ 23.1 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game. No doubt LeBron James’ numbers will spike, but he’s 37 years old and can’t play 40 minutes a night these days. Westbrook can and almost surely will. Note that LeBron is listed as questionable for this one, but it would be a MAJOR upset if he doesn’t play. I’d expect James to simply be listed questionable the rest of the season.
This total seems low considering Westbrook on the season averaged 18.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 7.5 assists – which equals 33.6 combined. Frankly, a triple-double wouldn’t surprise me. Westbrook is third in the NBA with nine. Westbrook is +700 for a triple-double … not recommending that but it’s not an awful play.
I also think Westbrook will be very motivated amid reports that LeBron wanted him traded to Houston before the deadline for John Wall and was miffed that it didn’t happen. James was the one who pushed for the original trade for Westbrook this offseason from Washington.
NBA Pick: Westbrook over 31.5 Points + Rebounds + Assists (-130) at BetOnline
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.